Razor blade sharpener



Jung 16, 1936.

A. c. HElsE E-r AL 2,044,688

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Aug. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l W ATTORNEYS.

June 16, 1936. A HElSE ET Al, 2,044,688

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Aug. 8, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :F: Erl E Ptehted tiene H Y A N UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE n :soumis Razon BLADE summum Arthur c. Hnge mja mnu-a w. Jacobi,

rier inthe chamber, the blade will be sharpened.

Another object oi the invention is to provide the. razor with la `handle and blade carrier `of such construction and dimensions that a blade of proper size to fit the guard of the razor may i be applied vto the carrier and the carrier and blade'then thrust into the handle as a unit and allowed to remain therein until use of the razor is required. By lthis arrangement, the blade will always be readily Vaccessible when needed `and can be sharpened before use.

Still another object of the invention is to so form the handle and blade carrier that when the carrier is thrust into the chamber oi.' the handle, it may be oscillated to dispose the cutting edge of the blade in proper angular relation to a block of abrading material in the chamber and to limit the oscillating movement of the Vcarrier and 'also 'guide longitudinal movement of the carrier during reciprocation thereof whenl sharpening the blade.

A still further object of the invention is to so construct the carrier that when a blade is applied thereto, it'will be firmly held in its proper position and caused to move with the carrier. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

' Figure 1 is av side elevation of the improved razor; y I

Figure 2 is a top plan view of therazor; Figure 3 is a section taken longitudinally a through the razor along the line 3 3 o! Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view showing the `razor withits handle in longitudinal section and the blade holder in top plan, portions of of the razor being-broken away;

Figure 5 is an elevation looking at the frontl end of the razor; p

Figure 6 is a view showing .the forward portion of the razor partially in top plan andpartially in section, the blade securing bar being swung awayfrom the blade holder or shield;

Figure '1 is a section taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a viewv similar to Figure 3 showing orc, M

1934, ser-ln No. 139,016

(o1. :s1-15s) 'the blade carrier partially in carried thereby;

secubn andanzas.-

Figure 9 isa view .somewhatsimilar to'Figure s showing the blade carrier withdrawn from the handle and illustrating the manner in which Vthe carrier isreciprocated during a sharpening operation;

Figure -10 is a sectional view takenalong the line I04l0 of Figure 9; f

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectioualview illustrating the manner in which a blade is fitted into the carrier:

4 Figure 12 is a the line VI2---I2 of Figure 9;

' Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 illusrtransverse section takenV along trating the manner in which the carrier is oscillated in the handle to dispose theblade in proper engagement with the abrading block during a sharpening operation; and

Figure i4 is a perspectiveview of the blade used 'with this-razor.-

This improved razor has a handle I formed with la reduced neck 2 at its front end, the `extreme forward end of which is further reduce'd to provide a rivet l by means of which a guard or shield `4 is rigidly secured to the handle. The shield isformed of sheet metal and has ifsfupper portion 5 curved rearwardly and downwardly and terminating in a tongue 8 llocated intermediate 'the width of the shield and formed with an opening through which the rivet!V is passed and then headed as shown in Figure 3. The shield or 'guardjis disposed transversely of the handle and has Vits lower edge portion formed with4 teeth 1 through which portions of the cutting edge of a blade 8 will be exposed when the blade is applied againstI the 'outer `or front face of the shield. `'Ihere have also been provided spurs or tongues 9 located adjacent opposite ends of the lower edge of the shield for engaging Aunder thev cutting edge of the blade and supporting the blade when in place. g

The blade is to be securely-but detachably held in engagement with the shield and in order to "do so there has beenprovided a bar lll formed froma strip of resilient metal. This bar has tongues which are bent to form loops Ill engaged through slots I2 formed inthe shield and serving to pivotally mount the bar, for swinging movement from the released position shown in Figure 6 to a clamping position in which it extends across a -blade alongfthe backing :la at one end provided with longitudinally extending the upper edge thereof. The free end portion. of the bar is bent to form abill Il which snaps over the edge of the shield as clearly shown in Figure 4 and securely but releasably holds the barin the clamping position. By this arrangement, the blade can be quickly applied to the shield and firmly secured.

Referring to Figures 3, 5 and '1, it will be seen that the blade is narrow and that when it is applied against-the guard, the backing 8a is disposed midway the depth of a slot la formed longitudinally in the guard. It should also be` noted that the backing holds the blade in spaced relation to the front face of the guard to provide a space I3 between the blade and guard extending from the lower cutting edge of the blade to the slot. Therefore, lather and hair which may be forced between the guard and lower edge of the blade during a shaving operation may pass upwardly through the space I3 and out through the slot 4a without choking the razor and preventing the bladegfrom cutting properly. By bowing inwardlythe lower portion of the guard, the size of the space I3 will be increased and free passage of the lather and hair permitted.'

When the blade is to be removed it is merely necessary to spring the latch out of engagement with the shield and the blade can be removed and the razor and blade thoroughly washed.

The handle I which is also formed of metal is hollow to provide a chamber I5 opening through the rear end of the handle and by referring to Figures 12 and 1 3, it lwill be seen that the handle is elliptical in cross section and has its walls crimped inwardly to provide sets of ribs I6 and I1, the ribs of-each set being spaced from each other circumferentially of the handle. An elongated blockr I8 of honing material extends longitudinally inthe chamber I5 and is cemented against walls of the chamber between the ribs I6 which engage opposite side edges of the block and prevent the block from shifting transversely out of its proper position. 'I'his block is formed with a groove I9 in its exposed face and referring to Figures 12 and 13, it will be seen that walls of the groove are curved transversely and oonverge inwardly of the groove in order that the bevelled faces of the blade-along its cutting edge may have proper engagement with the abrading block during a sharpening operation.- l In order to suppOrt the blade in the chamber and impart reciprocating motion to the bladeK during a sharpening operation there has been provided a blade carrier which is formed of resilient metal. carrier is of tubular formation and at its rear or outer end carries a head or ilnger hold 2| which has its marginal face roughened in order that it may be rmly grasped and is provided with a neck 22 of the proper shape and dimensions to fit snugly within the rear portion of the handle and have frictional gripping engagement with walls of the` handle to securely but removably hold the carrier in the chamber of the handle. The tubularrbody is not circular in cross section but of the conflguration shown in Figures 12 and 13 and has an arcuate wall 23 which conforms to'the portion of the walls of the handle between the ribs I1 and merges into side walls 2l which are bowed inwardly. A partition or abutment wall 25 blocks the interior of the body intermediate the length thereof and between this partition and its open forward end the body is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 26. The portions of the side walls bordering the slot carry extensions which project inwardly of the tubular body and form grip- The bodyv portion 20 of the bladel -brought into engagement with the abrading ping jaws 21 the lower edges 2l of which diverge and bear against portions of the backing strip la at opposite sides of the blade 8 when the blade is thrust into the holder. When the blade is thrust into place, it is forced inwardly between 5 the Jaws from the front end of the body and as it moves rearwardly, it passes between tongues 29 at the front of the body. These tongues extend longitudinally of the body at opposite sides of the slot and have their free endsnormally in 10 engagement with each other so that when the blade is in place, the front ends of the tongues will engage each other beyond the outer end of the blade as shown in Figure 10 and prevent the blade from slipping forwardly out of place. 'I'he l5 abutment wall 25 prevents the blade from shifting rearwardly of the carrier beyond the position shown in Figure9 and therefore, the blade will be caused to reciprocate with the carrier during a sharpening operation. Tongues 30 which are struck from the wall 23 of the carrier and extend longitudinally of the carrier engage the backing strip of the blade and hold the blade in its proper position with the backing strip bearing against the flared portions of the jaws and 25 the cutting edge of the blade in engagement with the abrading block.

When this razor is in use the blade is applied to the outer or front face of the guard where it is secured by the bar I0. 'I'he lower cutting edge 30 of the blade rests at its ends upon the prongs or tongues 9 and between these prongs is overlapped by the teeth 1 as shown in Figure 7 so that there will be no danger of a person cutting his face while shaving. After the shaving op- 35 eration has been completed, the bar I0 is released and swung out of the way and the razor thoroughly cleaned. 4 The blade can then be again secured against the guard but it is preferred to withdraw the blade carrier from the handle and 40. ilt thelblade into the tubular body of the carrier. The carrier is then returnedv to its initial position within the handle and the blade will be shielded and prevented from being accidentally ed. when the razor is again to be used, the 45 carrier is grasped by its head 2| and drawn outwardly. After the carrier has,v been Withdrawn a suiiicient distance to free the neck 22 from the handle, the carrier can be given4 a partial rotation in either direction until the carrier abuts 50 one of the ribs I'I and the carrier slid longitudinally with the bevelled face at one side of the cutting edge of the blade bearing against one of the sloping walls of the recess I9 of the abrading block. A number of' strokes may be imparted to the carrier and the carrier then rotated to move it into engagement with the other rib Il so that the other bevelled face of the blade will be block or a rotary movement imparted to the car- 60 rier at the termination of each reciprocatory movement by turning the wrist before again imparting longitudinal movement to the carrier. 'I'he angular relation of the ribs Il to the'groove I9 insures fiat contacting engagement of the bevelled faces of the blade with the walls of the groove I9 and therefore, the cutting edge of the blade will be properly sharpened. Since contact of the ared portions 28 with the backing l70 strip of the blade limits upward movement of the blade through the slot 26 there will be no danger of the cutting edge of the blade being dulled by improper contact with the abrading block. As

the blade is sharpened, as it is withdrawn from 75 tionioi-ounlimproved device, theiloperation thereof--anditheimethod-of applying thefsame to use win-be .readily xunderstood. :'Itxwill.` bereeen that welhave provided alsimple, inexpensivel and emclent means for carrying out the objects of the invention 1 andy while `we @have L particularly described lthe` elements the functions set forth,it is obviousrthat various changes ain i form, AproportionV `and-'inv the -minor best. adapted Y to perform details ofconstructionmay be resorted to,withvoutdeparting from? the spirit orisacriilcing anyV of the principles of the invention.` l l v thus l described'vthevinvention, what is claiinedfisr`4 1' ..1 c i i `:in a razor,"afhan`dle formed with a chamber f opening fthrough the end ofthe handle, a

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by a blade carried sharpening` element extending longitudinally in saidchamber against aportion of the walls thereof1an`d formed with"^ 'a .longitudinally extending groove having converging walls, `and a blade car- 'rierinserted' into the! chamber through the open element', the carrierbeing also oscillatable in the lchamber for dis` l .the chamber 1in the chamber ag chamber opposite g the cutting edge of the blade in engagement with a selected side wall of the groove in the sharpening element.

2. In a razor, a handle formed with a chamber opening through the rear end thereof, walls of `being provided at opposite sides thereof with sets of longitudinally extending ribs, the ribs of each set being spaced from each other circumferentlally thereof, a 4sharpening element extending longitudinally inv said chamber and secured against the walls between the ribs of one set to brace the 'sharpening element against transverse movements in the chamber, said sharpening element being formed with a longitudinally extending groove in its exposed face, and a blade carrier inserted intothe chamber through the open rear end thereof, said carrier bearing against walls ofthe chamber between the other set of ribs with its blade rcarrying portion, facing the sharpening element whereby the cutting edge of a blade will engage the groove thereof, said blade carrier being slidable longitudinally in said chamber and oscillatable therein between the last mentioned ribs, the last mentioned ribs serving to guide reciprocation of the blade carrier in the chamber and aslmeans for limiting oscillation of the carrier whereby the cutting edge of a blade may be disposed ln engagement with a selected side wall ofthe groove in the sharpening element.

3. In a razor. a handle formed with a longitudinally extending chamber open at its rear end and ovalin cross section, a block of abrading material extending longitudinally in said chamber against a wall at a side thereof, and a blade carrier slidable into and out of the chamber through the open end thereof and oscillatable ainst a portion of walls of the rier consisting of a hollow body-formed of resilient material and open at one end, a head at the other gers at through the open a sharpening element the-sharpening element in a P the abrading block, said cai'-v end of laid body ntting snugly in theopen' end* 'of the handle when the blade carrier-is thrust into the chamberl withl a portion projecting from the handle and constituting a hand hold for the carrier, Ysaid body bein! formed with a longi- "5- tudinally extending slot and carrying inwardly directed jaws at opposite .sides of the slot for v`gripping a blade and holding the blade diametrically of the body with its cutting edge bearing against the abrading bloem-blade engaging nnthel open end of said body, and resilient miles in the body opposite the slot for engaging the inner edge of a blade and urging the `blade outwardly through the slot to hold its cutting edgeagainst the abrading block.

4. In a razor, a handle formed with a longitudinally extending chamber open at its rear end and oval in cross section, a block of abrading ma: terial extending longitudinally in said chamber against a wall at a side thereof, and a'blade 20 carrier slidable into and out of the chamber end thereofY and oscillatable inthe chamber against a portion of walls of the chamber opposite the abrading block, said carrier consisting of a hollow body formed of resllient material and open at one end, a-head'at the other end of said body fitting snugly in the .open end of the handle wh'en the blade carrier is thrust into the chamber with a portion projecting from the handle and constituting a hand 3o hold for the carrier, said body being formed with a longitudinally extending slot and having an internal abutment at the inner end of the slot, fingers at the open end of the body for holding a blade in the body with one end engaging the abutment and its cutting edge projecting through the slot for contact with the abrading block, inwardly extending gripping plates at opposite sides of the slot,.and resilient tongues in the body opposite the slot for engaging the inner 40 edge of a blade and urging the blade outwardly through the slot to hold its cutting edge against the abrading block.'

5. In aranci'. a handle formed with a chamber opening through lthe rear end of the handle.v

in said chamber, a blade carrier inserted into the chamber through the open rear end thereof with a/portion closing the rear end of the chamber and projecting rearwardly from the handle ,to provide a hand hold, s'aid blade carrier being slidable longitudinally inI said chamber for reciprocating a blade in sharpening contact withthe sharpening element and shiftable transversely in the chamber for resenting the blade in predetermined angular relation to the sharpening element, and means for limiting transverse shifting of the holder. 6. In a razor, a handle having a chamber formed therein opening through the rear end of the handle, a sharpening element mounted in said chamber and extending longitudinally in the chamber against walls thereof, a blade carrier inserted into saidchamber through the open rear end thereof and slidable longitudinally therein,

the carrier being shiftable transversely in vthe chamber for presenting the blade to the sharpening element in predetermined angular relation thereto, the distance between the sharpening element and the opposed portion of walls of the kchamber being greater than the depth of a blade to be sharpened whereby the carrier with a blade applied thereto may be inserted into the chamber with the cutting edge of the blade bearing against the sharpening element and actuated to sharpen the blade, and means carried by walls of said 75 ehnberatoppoaitesidesofthecarrier'forlimiting shifting movement of the-carrierjtransversely of the chamber. said meansfalao serving toguideslidingmovementofthecarrier.

7.Inarasor.ahandlehavingac hamber said chamberfand extending longitudinally thereof.` a blade carrier linserted into the chamber. through the open.- end thereof and ,being slidable v longitudinally in the chamber. and shiftable circumferentially thereof, the distance between the sharpening element and the opposed portion of the walls of the chamber being greater than the depth of ablade to be sharpened whereby the carrier with a blade applied thereto may be inserted into the chamber through theopen rear end thereof with the cutting edge., .of the blade bearing against thesharpening element and actuated to sharpen the' blade, and longitudinally extending ribs carried by walls of the chamber forl -nient tothe bladerelativeto the.

vly forpnaentingabladeinseleeted angular relation to the sharpening clement and being also reciprocatory longitudinally therein for supportingabladeinengagementwitntheaharpening element and im reci moveg .1m-umg dement. andfmeans-carried by walls of the chamber for limiting transverse movements of the carrier and guiding reciprocatory movement.

9. In a razor, a handle formed with a chamber 10 openingY through the rear end of the handle, meansinsaidchamberforaharpeningarasor blade, having blade englslng surfaces in angular relation to each other. and means for a razor blade and supporting theblade dlametri- 15 cally of the chamber with its edge in operative engagement with the means, said blade carrier ,with a blade carried thereby being adapted for insertion into the chamber through the rear end thereof' and reciprocatory longituzo dinally in the chamber with the blade in engagement with a selected surfacefof the means, the carrierbeing shiftable transversely in the chamber for disposing the blade in engagement with a selected surface of the sharpening 25 means, and means projecting inwardly from walls of thenchamber at opposite sides of the carrier for limiting transverse shifting of the carrier and guiding reciprocatory movement of the carrier.. l

ARTHUR C. HEISE. 30 MILIARD W. JACOBI. 

